Why doesnt the sims 3 work for me?

Roesyi · 07-07-2009, 11:03 AM

Apologies if this has been asked before, but I was given the sims 3 for my birthday and it keeps crashing, even on the lowest settings.

I had my computer specifically built for playing the sims 3, Its Windows XP, It uses an ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics card, has 2GB RAM, Enough space for the sims content, and windows service pack 3.

I'm not sure what DirectX it has, but i'm fairly sure its up to date with that.

It has so far crashed on create-a-sim usually when i click to change the sims hair (the crash looks like a series of grey or blue lines and the music loops and then stops) and it also crashed when i decided to play the game.

I've also made sure I'm up to date with the game updates.

I will try uninstalling and re-installing, but if anyone knows whats going on; I'd love to know!

Please help! Thanks for your time :]

Rohannnn · 07-07-2009, 11:08 AM

What happens when it crashes, does your whole PC crash/restart or the game just closes and returns to desktop?

You could try updating your graphics card drivers if you haven't already.

Roesyi · 07-07-2009, 11:11 AM

The whole thing crashes

I've tried other games like Hitman blood money, and that seems fine.

I think they are up to date; I believe my brother did them yesterday but i'll ask him again in case...

Sims3Loverrr · 07-07-2009, 08:56 PM

whats the processor speed and type of processor?
e.g. 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

StokeMeAClipper · 07-07-2009, 09:14 PM

Would check the drivers of your grahics card, you shouldn't have any problem with your spec; the sims 3 was designed so even low spec computers can play.

nhayes170 · 07-07-2009, 09:52 PM

have you downloaded any hairstyles?

mand82 · 07-07-2009, 10:35 PM

have you installed the patch? and is your graphic's card got shadel 2 and above as thats what sims 3 needs

Sunscreen · 07-07-2009, 11:02 PM

mycomputer did that when i first got the game. Most likely you need a new graphics card, even if it was specially built for the game, mine was but i still needed a new one. Hope that helps XD

Black_Eagle99 · 07-07-2009, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunscreen

mycomputer did that when i first got the game. Most likely you need a new graphics card, even if it was specially built for the game, mine was but i still needed a new one. Hope that helps XD

That doesn't make sence, so you had a card made for the game but it didn't work so you got a new one? At wat level, like bigger or smaller or the same (like 2GB Graphics card as an example)

Because that seems odd.

All I can suggest is try the patch and if it still crashes maybe there is something wrong with the disc, might be scratched or faulty.

Take it back & get a new one... maybe

sharkloverplayer · 08-07-2009, 05:41 AM

Some of the cards that are listed as compatible arn't.The Nivedea 6200 is not compatible and causes cas crashes like the ones the op mentioned when changing clothes,hair,makeup etc.My old pc has a 6200 and it crashes the game.CAS has the same pixed lines were you can't see anything and sometimes the music loops.I updated to the latest drivers and it didn't work.The old pc also has a celeron intel processor which is way to slow.This pc also has only 1gb of ram.To the op your processor could be the problem.What kind do you have and how fast is it?

Fortuanly my new pc so far runs the game great.

george9807 · 08-07-2009, 09:29 AM

The ATI Radeon HD 4850 is more than capable with running the Sims 3, its better than mine and I run it on all highest settings!

Maybe it's a problem with the disc. Take it back to the store and say it's faulty

I reckon it's a problem with the disc especially because it crashes on all settings and everytime.

Sunscreen · 08-07-2009, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black_Eagle99

That doesn't make sence, so you had a card made for the game but it didn't work so you got a new one? At wat level, like bigger or smaller or the same (like 2GB Graphics card as an example)

Because that seems odd.

All I can suggest is try the patch and if it still crashes maybe there is something wrong with the disc, might be scratched or faulty.

Take it back & get a new one... maybe

sorry lets see if i an make it clear. My computer was made specially for the sims 3 also, but the graphics card i had was'nt good enough. So i had to buy a newer, up-to-date version (i dont know the word for flashier)

Rohannnn · 08-07-2009, 10:11 AM

It's very unlikely to be a problem with the disc because if the installer is anything like the one from TS2, it verifies that the files were copied correctly.

That's why people with scratched disks suddenly find they can't install it any more (rather than finding it installs, but they get problems).

I don't think there's anything wrong with the spec. either.

A lot of people are having these crashing problems and I don't think there's an easy fix. Contacting EA support might be worth trying.

Lisette88 · 08-07-2009, 10:42 AM

Yep, I'm one of those people. I have tried everything now and nothing works..
Yesterday, it crashed just before I saved my new sim

Don't know how contacting EA is going to help, really. I've heard from some people that have tried, that EA wasn't too helpful.

I still find it weird that there are so many issues with the game. Not all quite this big, but still..

Roesyi · 09-07-2009, 07:33 PM

Thanks for all your helpful replies!

Right... here goes.

Sims3Loverrr, sharkloverplayer : AMD Duocore 500 plus? I asked my bro, so sorry if this spelling is wrong!

StokeMeAClipper: Drivers are up to date!

No hairstyles downloaded!

I've done it with and without the patch - same thing!

The disk is fine; I've run it on my brothers computer and its all be good; we changed my xp computer to vista extreme edition and the game lasted longer and then crashed :S there is apparently veryl little difference between me and my brothers pcs
...

so i;m real annoyed! thanks for all the help so far though

ps sorry if this message is lslightly backawards.my computer has decided to type funny!!

BabiKaylee · 10-07-2009, 11:08 AM

Maybe you have a problem with the comp like a virus or something, iv got a proper gaming computer and i have all of the graphic settings on high and its never crashed on me...it dont even go slow its really fast!

but other than that dunoo...hope it works soon its rele good

My game works on my comp but my mums has summin wrong with it and it is really slow and then crashes, we put it down to there being a virus on it

x

Roesyi · 10-07-2009, 05:04 PM

So far as i know there shouldnt be a virus, as its all new and as soon as i went on the internet i downloaded eset and then avira antivirus software...
but that you, will do a scan anyway :]

07-07-2009, 11:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
Roesyi Rookie Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 19	Why doesnt the sims 3 work for me? Apologies if this has been asked before, but I was given the sims 3 for my birthday and it keeps crashing, even on the lowest settings. I had my computer specifically built for playing the sims 3, Its Windows XP, It uses an ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics card, has 2GB RAM, Enough space for the sims content, and windows service pack 3. I'm not sure what DirectX it has, but i'm fairly sure its up to date with that. It has so far crashed on create-a-sim usually when i click to change the sims hair (the crash looks like a series of grey or blue lines and the music loops and then stops) and it also crashed when i decided to play the game. I've also made sure I'm up to date with the game updates. I will try uninstalling and re-installing, but if anyone knows whats going on; I'd love to know! Please help! Thanks for your time :]

07-07-2009, 08:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sims3Loverrr Rookie Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 30	whats the processor speed and type of processor? e.g. 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo __________________ Will Running My Sims 3 On: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD 4GB Ram, 320GB Hardrive Great Specs For $600 ********SIMS 3********

07-07-2009, 10:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
mand82 Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: essex,uk Age: 27 Posts: 738	have you installed the patch? and is your graphic's card got shadel 2 and above as thats what sims 3 needs __________________ luv and hugs mand

07-07-2009, 11:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
Sunscreen Forum Junkie Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: leaving the forum Age: 15 Gender: Female Posts: 4,632 Blog Entries: 3	mycomputer did that when i first got the game. Most likely you need a new graphics card, even if it was specially built for the game, mine was but i still needed a new one. Hope that helps XD __________________

08-07-2009, 05:41 AM	#10 (permalink)
sharkloverplayer Forum Guru Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,531	Some of the cards that are listed as compatible arn't.The Nivedea 6200 is not compatible and causes cas crashes like the ones the op mentioned when changing clothes,hair,makeup etc.My old pc has a 6200 and it crashes the game.CAS has the same pixed lines were you can't see anything and sometimes the music loops.I updated to the latest drivers and it didn't work.The old pc also has a celeron intel processor which is way to slow.This pc also has only 1gb of ram.To the op your processor could be the problem.What kind do you have and how fast is it? Fortuanly my new pc so far runs the game great. __________________ Batman Arkham Asylum Is Going To Be An Awesome Game.Coming To The Ps3 and 360 Aug 25th and the Pc in September!!!!!

07-07-2009, 11:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
Rohannnn Forum Junkie Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Surrey UK Posts: 4,010	What happens when it crashes, does your whole PC crash/restart or the game just closes and returns to desktop? You could try updating your graphics card drivers if you haven't already.

07-07-2009, 11:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
Roesyi Rookie Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 19	The whole thing crashes I've tried other games like Hitman blood money, and that seems fine. I think they are up to date; I believe my brother did them yesterday but i'll ask him again in case...

07-07-2009, 09:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
StokeMeAClipper Rookie Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 3	Would check the drivers of your grahics card, you shouldn't have any problem with your spec; the sims 3 was designed so even low spec computers can play.

07-07-2009, 09:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
nhayes170 EA Veteran Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Looting in Cyrodil or kicking butt in Oblivion Posts: 10,822	have you downloaded any hairstyles?

08-07-2009, 09:29 AM	#11 (permalink)
george9807 Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: UK Age: 16 Posts: 905	The ATI Radeon HD 4850 is more than capable with running the Sims 3, its better than mine and I run it on all highest settings! Maybe it's a problem with the disc. Take it back to the store and say it's faulty I reckon it's a problem with the disc especially because it crashes on all settings and everytime. __________________ TheSims3.com : PlumbobGeorge Add Me Please! http://www.thesims3.com/mypage/PlumbobGeorge

08-07-2009, 10:11 AM	#13 (permalink)
Rohannnn Forum Junkie Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Surrey UK Posts: 4,010	It's very unlikely to be a problem with the disc because if the installer is anything like the one from TS2, it verifies that the files were copied correctly. That's why people with scratched disks suddenly find they can't install it any more (rather than finding it installs, but they get problems). I don't think there's anything wrong with the spec. either. A lot of people are having these crashing problems and I don't think there's an easy fix. Contacting EA support might be worth trying.

08-07-2009, 10:42 AM	#14 (permalink)
Lisette88 Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Holland Age: 21 Gender: Female Posts: 524	Yep, I'm one of those people. I have tried everything now and nothing works.. Yesterday, it crashed just before I saved my new sim Don't know how contacting EA is going to help, really. I've heard from some people that have tried, that EA wasn't too helpful. I still find it weird that there are so many issues with the game. Not all quite this big, but still.. __________________ A rookie no more! Finally! It has only taken me.. oh.. 500 posts?!

09-07-2009, 07:33 PM	#15 (permalink)
Roesyi Rookie Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 19	:0 Thanks for all your helpful replies! Right... here goes. Sims3Loverrr, sharkloverplayer : AMD Duocore 500 plus? I asked my bro, so sorry if this spelling is wrong! StokeMeAClipper: Drivers are up to date! No hairstyles downloaded! I've done it with and without the patch - same thing! The disk is fine; I've run it on my brothers computer and its all be good; we changed my xp computer to vista extreme edition and the game lasted longer and then crashed :S there is apparently veryl little difference between me and my brothers pcs ... so i;m real annoyed! thanks for all the help so far though ps sorry if this message is lslightly backawards.my computer has decided to type funny!!

10-07-2009, 11:08 AM	#16 (permalink)
BabiKaylee Rookie Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Leicester Gender: Female Posts: 13	Maybe you have a problem with the comp like a virus or something, iv got a proper gaming computer and i have all of the graphic settings on high and its never crashed on me...it dont even go slow its really fast! but other than that dunoo...hope it works soon its rele good My game works on my comp but my mums has summin wrong with it and it is really slow and then crashes, we put it down to there being a virus on it x Last edited by BabiKaylee; 10-07-2009 at 11:11 AM..

10-07-2009, 05:04 PM	#17 (permalink)
Roesyi Rookie Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 19	So far as i know there shouldnt be a virus, as its all new and as soon as i went on the internet i downloaded eset and then avira antivirus software... but that you, will do a scan anyway :]